Route overview

A leisurely loop starting and finishing at Ravenscar Visitor Centre. Follows quiet lanes and the old Whitby - Scarborough railway track. Ideal for families and novice cyclists. Opportunities to stop and explore features of 'the town that never was' and the remains of a WW2 radar station. Look out for birds, butterflies, small mammals and wildflowers along wildlife rich verges.

Route details

Ignore track leading left over the golf course and the entrance to Raven Hall Hotel and follow Station Road.

Follow Station Road until it turns into a track

Where the road appears to turn into a track, turn right into Station Square. At the green signpost in the far left corner of the square, follow a narrow track which leads diagonally to the left of a flight of steps. Join the old railway track. Bear left through a gate and continue.

The old station platform and Victorian buildings around Station Square are a remnant of 'the town that never was'. This became Ravenscar's nickname following a failed attempt by a Victorian entrepreneur to create a holiday resort to rival Scarborough. Unfortunately, he didn’t take into account the fact that it is a very exposed spot with no easy access to a nice sandy beach! The project only folded after a railway station, new roads, sewers and a handful of houses had been built.

After about 800m, you will notice a group of old buildings in a field on your left - the remains of a WW2 radar station. If you'd like to stop and explore the buildings, enter the field via the stile. Please either leave bikes at the stile, or lift them over and wheel them across the field on foot. Please note, there may be livestock in the field.

Ravenscar was a Chain Home Low radar station, one of many sited around the coast of Britain. Built in 1941, it plotted the movements of shipping and aircraft, giving early warning of possible enemy attack.

Follow the track approximately 1km further, with the edge of a woodland on your right for the last 250m or so. Where two tracks cross, turn left onto the bridleway.

At a gateway, turn left onto War Dike Lane. This turns into Bent Rigg Lane. Look out for a small stone bridge which takes you over the old railway track you have just been on. This is a quiet lane, but look out for vehicles.

Bent Rigg Lane becomes Church Road. At the Junction, with St Hilda's Church on your right, turn right onto Raven Hall Road. End at Ravenscar Visitor Centre.

End: Ravenscar Visitor Centre, grid ref: NZ9801501399

Trail: Cycling

Grade: Easy

Distance: 6.5km (4 miles)

Time: 40 minutes

OS Map: Explorer OL27

Terrain:

Level. Well-surfaced track and roads, short stretch of bridleway (may be muddy).

How to get here:

Ravenscar Visitor Centre is signposted from the A171 between Whitby and Scarborough, 4 miles north of Cloughton.

Facilities:

Free roadside parking. Public toilets on Raven Hall Road. National Trust visitor centre open daily March - November 10am-4.30pm for hot and cold drinks, ice-creams and light snacks.